Questions About Houston Newborn Photography? We Have Answers!

Top-rated baby, infant, and newborn photographer, Sarah Borchgrevink, answers the most popular questions.

At What age should newborn photos be taken?

• The best time to photograph a new baby is in the first 14 days of life. There is, however, a "sweet spot" in which 5-9 days is best. Newborn babies have spent nine months growing in a tight space. The sooner they're photographed, the more likely they are to cooperate. For a sleepy, curly, and oh-so-squishy demeanor, try to book as soon as your little one is earthside. The studio offers flexible scheduling through an online booking calendar. The studio also provides different packages catering to newer and older newborn babies. If your baby spent time in the NICU, there are options for you, too.

What is the cost and pricing of Houston Newborn Photography?

Package pricing is transparent and straightforward. Our studio focus is selling full-resolution, retouched JPEG digital files and an unlimited print release you may use infinitely. Newborn packages begin at $550 and range to $1150. See a fully transparent pricing menu.

• One flat rate includes studio time, design, wardrobe, proofing, retouching, and your gallery of impeccably edited full-resolution JPEG images available for instant digital download.

• We offer six days per week availability as well as a 14 day turnaround time throughout the year. Rush editing is available for purchase.

• There are no in-person sales appointments, minimum print orders, separate session fees, or hidden fees. Select the package with the number of digital files you'd like to receive. 

• Included in all packages is access to our client closet; you may also add stunning airbrush makeup and hair artistry with our featured vendor. Feel free to browse Sarah’s Favorite Dresses Available to You.

What is the best lighting for newborn photography?

The best lighting for newborn photography can be natural or studio lights.

• Both options are beautiful and create stunning works of art. At Sarah Borchgrevink Photography, our studio is the premier and highly sought after option for discerning parents to consider because we offer both natural and studio lighting.

• Our family photos are light, bright, and airy, occurring in our all-white lifestyle room. However, our posed newborn images arise in our newborn infant room, so you're sure to have soulful and dynamic images featuring shadows, contours, and perfect highlights. Have no fear: our studio lighting is never harsh, though it features ambient lighting. It is a natural and soft light that mimics sunlight from a nearby window. Constant white studio lights are also a practical option and won't cause the baby's skin to look red and warm.

What to bring to your baby’s first professional photoshoot

• Our studio provides everything for your session. We have everything for the gorgeous newborn portraits in the Greater Houston Area from motherhood wardrobe and luxury props, accessories, and styling. All you need to bring is your Baby and preferred method of feeding your new bundle of joy. We even provide snacks, diapers, and wipes and have a lovely playroom for your children to use while photographing the new sibling. See more about the Highest Rated Houston Newborn Portrait Studio on Google.

• All props are classic, rustic, organic, and vintage. I have a huge selection for you to consider. I have everything from baskets, bowls, buckets, crates, newborn beds, cradles, pails, etc. I also have every color of back drop, hat, bonnet, and a huge selection of gorgeous head bands. There is also a matching wrap for every color of backdrop I have, too. 

What does it mean to specialize in newborn photography?

Sarah and Kevin, owners of Sarah Borchgrevink Photography, specialize in posed infant photography within a studio setting.

• Specializing in posed newborn photography means you portrait artist has invested time, funds and has experience in one specific niche within the photography market. They're the "go-to" in the area for one genre. You set yourself apart by hyper-focusing on one genre, being one of the top photographers in your area, and continually looking to improve, thus offering an incredible experience and final product to your clients. You photograph what you love and do it well, all while being okay with giving up everything else. For example, I am exclusively photographing newborn babies these days. 

•  I am genuinely excited about this and the opportunity to build and grow my newborn brand. When selecting a newborn photographer, it's essential to choose someone who does specialize because you can be sure they take their job very seriously, are committed, and love the type of portraiture you've commissioned. It's perfectly okay to be a photographer who likes one area. In areas where it's a once in a lifetime session, such as newborn portraits or weddings, it is best to hire a professional who has a firm grasp on the content they're photographing. 

vWHAT PRECAUTIONS DO YOU TAKE TO KEEP BABY SAFE?

Feel free to browse our Newborn Safety & Sanitation Policy for a list of daily safeguards implemented to protect our most petite, precious clients. Masks and gloves required for all sessions as well as CDC Approved Guidelines.

• Newborn safety, handling, and proper posing are absolute of the utmost importance during our time together! Your baby must be treated with love, care, and respect. While they're very sweet and limber, many precautions must be taken to keep them safe. Keeping baby content is also essential. A few ways I safeguard my sessions are the following:

• The studio is kept at a toasty 77 degrees since the baby will be naked for some of our session. They cannot regulate their body temperature as well as an adult, so this keeps them warm.

• The studio is sanitized, and every item is cleaned between babies. We mopping with Lysol, wiping out the trashcan, spraying door handles with disinfectant, washing all linens and textiles in baby-friendly laundry soap, such as Dreft, and wiping out all props with gentle soap, so they're clean for the next little one who comes to the studio. Our studio also has a daily professional cleaning service visiting complying with all COVID-19 guidelines.

• Composites are always utilized for more advanced posing.

• Bottoms of baskets and buckets are weighted down with 20 pounds of weight, so the baby never tips forward and is never in any risk of danger.

• Keeping the studio space smoke free

• Never leaving baby unattended or taking your eyes off of baby, even for a brief moment. Kevin assists in all newborn photography sessions.

• We are mindful to read the baby's queues so as not to strain their muscles or joints.

• We are making sure to keep the baby's autonomy in mind. If the baby dislikes a pose, we move on. It is not fair to baby to force them into a position or prop if they're uncomfortable.

Are you vaccinated and insured?

• A newborn photographer should NEVER work with infants if they're not vaccinated or insured. As a professional business, you must have business and liability insurance, as well as legal documents showing you're running a legitimate business. Professional standards mean dealing with a true professional and not someone who is doing this as a side business, with zero to little training. Being vaccinated ensures baby is also in a safe environment. Since our little ones do not yet have a developed immune system, every precaution must be taken to keep them safe. Things like the flu are devastating to a newborn, similar to whooping cough.

HAVE YOU TAKEN WORKSHOPS OR MENTORED UNDER ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL?

• Newborn workshops typically focus on things such as soothing babies, posing, handling, lighting, retouching, session flow, and how to read baby's queues. As an experienced newborn photographer, safety is my top priority. I have taken workshops and mentored, too. Safety courses are how I learned about newborn photography. Security is one of the most critical elements to consider when you're hiring someone. Workshops ensure your baby is handled correctly with love and care; they're posed the correct way; they're never placed in a dangerous or compromising position. 

Why should parents hire a professional for their infant photoshoots?

There are two things; however, a parent should never compromise on: newborn safety and experience. Hiring a true professional is a decision you'll never regret making. 

• In the world of photography, there are many things you should take note. Because babies can be hurt during a newborn session if an inexperienced photographer mishandles them, you should always use a reputable, experienced, and professionally trained photographer. It's a smart idea to research them. Ask for an in-person consultation. Visit their studio. Look at their reviews. Ask friends about the experience if you know someone who used their services. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Moreover, does this person seem comfortable working with babies, is open and approachable, and someone you can see providing care for your little one in the 2-3 hours they're in the studio? 

• It's tempting to use a family friend or someone who does not specialize in newborn photography because their prices are so low, but these people are not running legal businesses or are trained to work with babies. My newborn photography is how I feed my family, and I am a full-time business owner. I take great pride and care in my work.

• If the pricing is low, it's because they're not paying taxes, and they're undercutting the market for those of us who follow the rules. They have not mentored, taken workshops, or know what they're doing. You get what you pay for, and your newborn session will probably be a disappointment if you use someone who is not qualified to work with the most precious clients. I say this not out of malicious intent, but because many parents have told me they did not do enough research with their first baby and assumed all newborn photography is the same. It's not, and your baby should be handled by someone who knows how to work with newborns, the same way your wedding should be photographed by someone who knows how to work with large events + couples. 

What areas of Houston do Sarah and Kevin serve?

Bursting with charm and culture, as the largest city in Texas – Houston is vibrant and diverse, flourishing with young families. And we love it! Recognized as the top-rated newborn photographer in the area since 2016, the Sarah Borchgrevink Photography studio is beautifully equipped and well located in the heart of the thriving Uptown district. We happily serve all major Houston neighborhoods and surrounding cities, including:

·       River Oaks

·       Memorial

·       Downtown

·       Bellaire

·       Rice Village

·       West University

·       Katy

·       The Woodlands

·       Pearland

·       And more!

Sarah delights in each opportunity to capture treasured maternity, newborn and infant milestone memories with local families. It’s easy to start planning your in-studio photography session or get more details on package memberships that will allow you to preserve each unique phase of your baby’s development.

Other topics you might find helpful:

• 12 Reasons to Choose Sarah & Kevin as Your Baby’s Photographer

• The Snuggle is Real: Cozy, Unique Newborn Wrapping

• Portrait Memberships | From Belly to First Steps

• Online Booking and Scheduling for New Parents

• Contact | Let’s Connect

OFFICE & STUDIO ADDRESS:

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography, LLC
4550 Post Oak Place Drive, Suite 203, Houston TX 77027

Please note all newborn sessions take place in our studio and we do not offer home newborn photography

STUDIO HOURS & 6 DAYS PER WEEK AVAILABILITY:

Studio sessions, consultations, and gown fittings occur during the hours below. Sarah and Kevin are a husband and wife team with six days/week availability. Sundays are no longer available as our studio's commercial office building is located within stopped offering air conditioning on Sundays in response to COVID-19.

• M-F from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

• Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 pm

• Sunday: Closed

OUTDOOR, ON-LOCATION PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY HOURS

Outdoor sessions (maternity or family) are scheduled outside studio hours at sunrise and 30 minutes before sunset. Due to the tentative nature of outdoor sessions, these occur at different times throughout the year. Would you please e-mail directly as our online calendar is for studio appointments only?

• We offer ten outdoor appointments per month. If weekends are your preference, please consider booking as early as possible.

 

STUDIO HOURS & 7 DAY PER WEEK AVAILABILITY:

Studio sessions, consultations, and gown fittings occur during the hours below. Sarah and Kevin are a husband and wife team with 7 day/week availability.

• M-F from 9:30 am - 3:00 pm

• Saturday and Sunday are 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

OUTDOOR, ON LOCATION PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY HOURS

Outdoor sessions (maternity or family) are scheduled outside of studio hours at sunrise and 30 minutes before sunset. Due to the tentative nature of outdoor sessions, these occur at different times throughout the year. Please e-mail directly as our online calendar is for studio appointments only.

• We offer 10 outdoor appointments per month. If weekends are your preference, please consider booking as early as possible.

Dad’s Little Football Player | How to Add a Special Prop from Home

Special request by parents: Lucas' sports inspired newborn boy session. Let's play some ball!

Greetings, friends! A common question I receive from parents is, "Can we bring a prop from home?" No worries! The answer is simple: YES. As a professional newborn photographer in Houston, I have a portrait studio catering to all things newborn and baby. I pride myself on offering a huge array of props and textiles to create lovely sessions. However, I also recognize parents often have a few ideas of their own. I delight in offering timeless and unique styled sessions and will happily incorporate a few of your own items into my session.

For example, when Lucas' sweet mama called to book her newborn collection, she relayed that Dad is a huge sports fan and they would love to showcase a few sports themed baby photography images during our time together. First and foremost: I was completely honored to hear from her because she was kind as can be, but also I knew I had a few great ideas up my sleeve to still maintain my newborn style while also incorporating a prop from the clients' house. 

Baby with Football during Posed Session

Little man Lucas visited at just 7 days new. He was a full term baby boy weighing over 8 pounds! So much gorgeous newborn rolls, chunk, and a cherub face that is too handsome! When adding a prop that is not found in my studio space, such as a football or other sport, there are a few spots you may easily add the item, such as the bucket, seen below, or even during the naked bean bag posing.

Timeless and Unique Newborn Set up with football | Styling and Vision

When styling a brand new baby's session, my motto is simple: vintage meets classic for timeless results. I use antique props and rustic floors to create dreamy images. I also like for the sessions to be very masculine for little boys and very dainty for girl babies. To add the football into the session I chose charcoal grey, heather grey, and a metal pail that pops against the barnwood floors and rich colored football. This is a wonderful compromise to be true to my own newborn photos (dreamy, gorgeous, classic images) without having too many distracting props that take away from the beauty of baby boy.

A second place to add the football into the session is during the naked bean bag posing. I love working with little ones during this set up because this showcases all of their adorable newborn features from their tiny fingers, chubby cheeks, long lashes, etc. I posed Lucas in forward-facing pose, seen above, and then added the football underneath him. Mom and Dad were right next to me helping me assist during this time. :-) Remember: baby's safety is of the utmost importance so it's always best to act with caution. 

There you have it! Two adorable yet timeless ways to add a special prop from home into your newborn session! Thanks for stopping by, friends! Keep on scrolling if you'd like to read more details about the professional portrait services provided by Sarah Borchgrevink Photography.

I'd love to meet your baby! Let's connect for your own session.

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Harris County. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Richmond, West University and Rice Village.

When is the Ideal Time to Schedule Your Posed Newborn Session?

Houston Newborn Photographer, Sarah Borchgrevink, shares important details about the ideal time to schedule your baby's first professional photography session.

Age Matters | Posed Newborn Appointments

When you first see the + sign on a pregnancy test, you're probably not thinking about when you should book your custom posed newborn portraiture session. That's perfectly okay! Awaiting the arrival of a new baby is full of excitement and many important details. There's numerous (and sometimes lengthy) doctor appointments, baby showers, nursery decor, prenatal classes, breastfeeding classes, and several other items that contend for your attention such as scheduling your maternity leave, etc. Pregnancy is a wonderful time but it's filled with hustle and bustle! 

In addition to the above, you're also thinking about your health and the responsibility of growing a new life: drinking plenty of water, sleeping enough, taking your prenatal pills, trying to get through morning sickness, figuring out when and how to announce, touring hospitals, etc. It's no wonder newborn photos are often put on the back burner.

Before I specialized in newborn portraits, I figured photographers took photos of babies at pretty much any time. I assumed that because baby is only a few months old, it did not matter. However, it does: age is one of the most important parts of having a successful newborn session.

The Best time to Book is the second trimester

Scheduling your baby's first photo-shoot in the second trimester is the most ideal time to book because this ensures you have an appointment on the photographer's calendar. Just because babies come on their own schedule does not mean photographers book babies once they're actually earth side. Part of offering a luxury service is having a calendar full in advance, but also taking a limited number of appointments so each client can have the attention to detail they deserve. This includes consultations and designing a beautiful, timeless baby session for your little cherub. By booking in advance, you're sure to have an appointment when your baby is the right age.

For example, I take 15 due dates per month as of 2018. This keeps me very busy. In addition to my photography sessions, I also have many business tasks, as I am a full time business owner, and I cannot take last minute appointments typically since I usually will have a deadline or consultation already scheduled for that day.

Furthermore, finding the right newborn photographer can take time. It's a lot of research and many important factors to consider, such as the 9 Questions You Should Always Ask.

When do newborn sessions take place?

Newborn sessions at Sarah Borchgrevink Photography take place when the baby is 5-8 days new if they're a full term baby. Premature babies have more flexibility in scheduling, however. I will take newborns up to 30 days if needed, though I rarely go this old since the older baby is, the less the cooperate. Around 14 days old, the baby becomes very alert and does not sleep through the posing, wrapping and all of the set ups.

For scheduling, I have parents notify me when baby has arrived. Afterward, parents are sent 3-4 dates from which they may select. By booking early, your due date secures the appointment on the calendar and makes sure I don't book too many newborns in the same time frame as you. 

Newborns have top priority on the calendar. Babies come when they come.

By booking in advance, you're sure to have an appointment during the optimal time listed above, which is 5-8 days new. For instance, I have four young children myself and with my last baby, I booked his newborn session with a professional photographer when he was 16 weeks new. It was very important to me I have my preferred portrait artist and I made sure I secured her talent so we can have her stunning work on our walls. :-) 

What can you expect?

At my photography studio, expect to have an absolutely stunning newborn session! I delight in working with brand new babies + their darling parents. This time in life is beyond special and precious; there is something almost sacred about the first few weeks as parents bond with their new baby. You can expect the most lovely posing, organic wrapping and textile, hand made and custom props, as well as baby to be at peace. Baby's session should evoke a sense of tender, unconditional love. 

Sample Images of Babies Who Visited at 5-8 Days New

As always, thanks for visiting my blog! I hope you enjoyed reading about when is the best time to schedule your little one's first professional photography session! If you liked reading about this topic, you may find the following blog posts to be helpful, too!

• 22 Babies who Rocked Their First Photos

• How to Work With Alert Newborns in Studio

• How I use Artificial Lights to Create Natural Light Look in Studio